Thoughts from Belynn, Yanni, Stacey and Collin

Thoughts from Belynn:

"I was so excited about today. Danielle and I got the opportunity to visit a place called THINK (Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness). This is a place where they temporarily house children who have mostly been sexually abused. At the beginning Danielle and I got the chance to spend time with the case managers. I enjoyed this becuase I have had the opportunity during my intenship back at home to work with social workers. It was interesting to see the similairites and differences between the states and Liberia. The children were absolutely beautiful. They enjoyed every minute we were there! We only had a little time with them today. So I am looking forward to a full day with them on Friday."

Thoughts from Yanni:

Today, we went to the Greater Love compound, our initial objective was to complete a generator project that would give electricity to the whole facility. We were missing a couple of parts so we did not finish the generator today. I was actually pleasantly surprized a couple of hours later we looked back at all the meaningfull, relevant, and practival conversations we had. I had a great talk with a guy named Pao. Pao is called to be a pastor in Liberia, but he has tons of fears and doubts because of how hard life is here. I told him not to give up and when God calls with one hand he gives with another. I loved our conversation, I was blessed to have talked to him. When we returned home Collin and I went for a walk around the village close by, and all the kids followed us as they showed us their homes/shacks. Playing soccer, basketball, hopscotch, handing out candy, and giving out a bible were all involved. We are falling in love more and more with this country and cannot wait for the next 7 days ahead.

Thoughts from Stacey:

Today, Dave, Miles, Jose, Emily, and I went to the Diana Davis Center. The center is a combination of a clinic and orphanage. It was truly amazing to see how welcomed we were by a speechless Diana Davis, who ran the place and gave all the glory to God every second. There are 35 kids at this orphanage, all of them lost their parents in the war. The guys worked on the generator house. Emily worked in the clinic for the first part of the day, and I played with all the kids. It was really neat to see some of the Liberian guys at the orphanage pick up on how to build a generator house being led by one of our drivers (he just jumped right to work!). Emily was able to help with one of the patients and watched how they performed each process. I was able to play with the kids, talk about favorite Bible verses, paint pictures, and paint the girls' nails. The kids smiles are contagious. The big, most interesting highlight of today was that our driver got arrested with the car on the way back to the compound. We had to get out and walk all the way back to the place. This was definitely interesting but it was all God! God is everywhere and in every detail. All praise is His!!!

Thoughts from Collin:

AHA! The conclusion paragraph is mine! So for the next four-five lines, you are all mine. Tomorrow, Yanni, myself, Brent, Matt, and Rodney all head out to the bush. Where monkeys, jaguars, and other insane animals roam. Like Crazy. We will be bringing out peanut butter and bread, in addition to that we will also have some more peanut butter and bread... We will be building a generator house and fixing up a generator and then sending the wire out to the school. So, i did say that I had like five-four lines but... yea. So for three days us five will be in the bush. Pray for us. We will be cut off from civilization entirely. zing! Alright! Hope all is well with everybody back home and I miss you guys and Julisa. :) PEACE! Happy New Year!!!!

REAP Generator

The Generator Shed and Water Tower at REAP

Working on the Generator

We started off today going straight to the REAP Camp. The generator shed was already built, so they just had to figure out how to connect the wiring and get it running. The guys stayed at the generator site, and they got it running. Now all they have to do is dig a 100 foot trench on Friday to connect the electricity to the building.

While the guys did that, us girls went with Christine to help her with the kids and helping her get ready for a big meeting. We all got to see the Vice President today along with many other distinguished people. It was an honor to be with them.

Quotes from Yanni, Collin and Belynn

Yanni- "We played soccer with 15 kids in the rainforest today... we lost, and we wouldn't have had it any other way."

Collin: "How many lion teeth do you want? ZIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG!"

Belynn: "I connected with a girl today who lost her father in the war, and she and her siblings are being raised by their mother who is single and tryng to support her children to go to school. The young girl is 12 years old and loves school. Her mom said she wish that she could afford to pay for her kids to go to school. The entire time we were there she followed me everywhere. My heart grew for her. I just wish I had more time with her..sigh."

We saw a cockroach, and Yanni was scaring Belynn at the same time.

Our full first day in Liberia

Us at the Beach

Walkin Around

You'd be happy to know that most of us slept well last night, and we woke up this morning to eat breakfast with the Norman's at about 9am. It's been a good day. First, we went to visit the Greater Love church, the same church that had the tragic fire. Sadly the fifth man's funeral was last week. Pastor Wesley was so kind to us and showed us around everything they had there. he showed us their church, clinic, school, and the burned radio station. We will be going back there to install a generator for them in a couple days.

After that, we drove around downtown Monrovia. I personally have never seen such a bustling chaotic citiy before. The people have been exceptionally kind to us, and we're looking forward to jumping into ministry tomorrow.

We also got to go swim at the beach today. It was good to have some more time to unwind and have some fun before we start the real work tomorrow.

Good News!!! Biamba and Joseph made it here after a detour to Ghana, and my bag came today!( which I am currently rejoicing over) However, you can keep praying because Brent and Matt did not receive their lost bags yet... which is a bummer.

Dave and Emily are sitting with me out on the porch.

Dave is sad that the Jets lost, and he loves Karen.

Emily, is taking in this culture around her and it feels surreal.

Everyone else has gone off to bed.



We send our love!

The Rocks at the Beach

We're Here!

So it’s 9:52 pm Liberia time and we’ve just finished eating dinner at the Norman’s house. I’m not going to write much tonight because I haven’t really slept much in these last 30 hours (I’m not the clearest thinker right now), but most of us made it safe! Biamba and Joseph had some difficulties at the Amsterdam airport and they had to separate from us. We expect to see them tomorrow.

Everyone is well-fed and going to bed. Pray for us that we can sleep well and deeply, and that our bodies would become quickly accustomed to the heat which is in the 80s and 90s.

Also another thing you can pray about: Brent, Matt and I lost our luggage somewhere along the way. It would be such a huge blessing if you all would pray that we’d get it back soon.

We send out love! Thank you!

Danielle

Update Since Yesterday on Tragic Fire

Message from Pastor Richard Wesley of Greater Love Ministry in Liberia:

Dear Christian Friends,

Just wanted to let you that 4 of the 5 technicians have died, the 5th is on a critical list. Our hearts are filled with sorrow. Thanks for your prayers for us and the families of those who have died.

Pastor Richard Wesley

Liberia Prayer Team, please pray that we will be able to minister to these people when we get there in a couple weeks. Pray that God brings an Isaiah 61 kind of restoration to these people.

God please meet all their needs, and be close to them in their brokeness.

"To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated ; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devasted for generation."

Isaiah 61:3-4

Tragic Fire in Radio Station

Liberia Prayer Team
Pastor Wesley just emailed Rodney Edwards this note. This happened at a location where we will be installing a Generator. Please pray for them, and for the families of the two men that died, and for the men who are in serious condition. The Waters Edge Liberia Team will still go to serve Greater Love (medical clinic, nursing school, radio station, church) as planned.

Dear Brother Rodney Edwards,

This incident happened last week Wednesday and I have been so down to even write has been so difficult for me Brother Edwards. Technicians from another radio station were hired to fix up our radio station studio by making it sound proof. Five of them came to work around 11: 00AM on Wednesday to do the job. By 6:15PM, they were still working. After our Wednesday Bible Study, I went upstairs where they were working and told them that it was late and they should go home and come the next day to continue the work. They insisted on finishing the job that night. I left the church compound with my family for home. At about 8:15PM, Deacon George Togbeh called me on the phone and said the studio was on fire. What the technicians did is that they bought gasoline and mixed the gasoline with the glue they were applying to the acoustic materials they were mounting on the wall and floor of the studio. When it got dark and they could not see clearly, they bought a candle, light the candle and forgot they had gasoline near at hand and they put the candle near the gosoline trying to see what they were doing. The candle put the gasoline on fire, the studio caught on fire and the five technicians were caught up in the fire and got severely burned . They were taken to the JFK and Catholic hospitals that night. Yesterday, one of them died and this morning another died. The other three are on critical list. I’m really in distress and our church is mourning right now. I need your prayers and if you can get to some friends to help us help the bereaved family for burial of the two dead and to redo our radio station studio. Please see attached photos of burnt studio.

Pastor Richard Wesley

Resource Update

So December 27th is getting closer, and the team is getting so excited about going. It looks like we’re going to have some rich opportunities for ministry. The final details are being put together and we are praying harder now more then ever because the date is finally almost here. Our small group has been meeting every week, growing in community and in planning for the trip.

Although almost 70% of the budget has been paid (TY LORD!), $15,000 in travel costs (mostly airfare) is still needed to insure all will be able make the trip. This final 30% is needed by December 19th.

As you may already know, the Water’s Edge College Ministry’s involvement in Liberia is a long term investment, and we hope that this is the first trip of many. We expect resistance, because we are in the business of His love and restoration while the enemy wants to see God’s precious people in bondage. We are praying that we can give ourselves away, be used by God, and be a catalyst for both love and restoration. We are firm in the belief that this is what God has called us to and we are trusting in Him to provide His resources; His power for His purpose. We have grown in passion for this work and have focused our hearts and actions to see His will done through us-complete the mission given to us.

People of God, I pray should the Lord press on your heart to be a source of helping meet this need and if so you will hear and obey. Please join us in this ask of God as you pray with us, that He would move on His people to provide for the need in full. May His will be done.

We are so grateful for all of you. Thank you!

Yanni, Collin, Stacey, Lisa, Brent, Dave, Joseph, Biamba, Matt, Miles, Belynn, Emily, Jose and Danielle

Should you be led to give, please make checks payable to: 12Stone Church and put in the memo section on the check “WE Liberia Mission”.

Mail checks to:

12Stone Church
1322 Buford Drive

Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Attn: Stacey Belflower

Generator Training Day

This past Saturday the team met at 7:45am and worked hard until 7:30pm to build a generator shed. The team did a magnificent job, and if I might say, it is the nicest looking generator shed I've ever seen! The plan is to build sheds exactly like this at our different locations in Liberia. We all feel like we know more about what to expect now that we've done it once. Next step...repeat in Africa in the summer time!

Starting the day working hard.

Note to self: Don't jump on trampoline right after lunch.

Belynn and Emily having too much fun. :)

Collin, Brent, Drake and Joseph workin hard.

Lisa, my friend... I love Lisa.

Biamba and Joseph, assessing the situation.

Jose, Ron, Brent and (I think) Collin leveling the bricks to perfection.

After a long day, we pose by our new masterpiece.

We want to thank Lon Vonkohn and Ron Kaye for being our trainers for the day. We couldn't have done it with out you. Thank you!!

Success!

The Liberia Awareness Event ended up being a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came, and everyone who made it work. It was so good to meet so many people that were passionate about Liberia in the same room. We all feel like we know a little bit more about God's heart for Liberia then before.

Feel free to leave us some feedback in the comments. Here is the link to the video we used in the meeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwWlFHhB2o

Generators

The Generator

It is our plan and goal that as long as we are going to Liberia, that we would also be installing generators. Just as we hope to bring energy and light to the spirituality in the country, we will also be doing this is the most basic of ways. Not only do we hope to bring light into dark hearts, but we hope to bring light into dark homes and orphanages. This brings Jesus's, "You are the light of the world" to a more tangible concept then we've ever seen before.

This Saturday (November 22nd) the team is going to be learning how to build a shed and install a generator. Those who will pray, please pray that this time will be effective. Its sure to be cold outside, and a little difficult for those of us who are mechanically challenged. :) Its so important that we have a good knowledge of how these things work, so that we can install them with excellence, and teach the people how to maintain them.

Also, DON'T FORGET!! The Liberia Awareness Event is tonight! Come to the Cafe Theater in 12Stone Church at 7pm. Invite anyone you wish! It will be a compelling evening, that will allow us to look into the heart of God. We can't wait to see you there!

Liberia Awareness Event

Family, Supporters, Mentors, Prayer Warriors, Friends:

As many of you may already know, there will be a group of 16 college age students and leaders going to Liberia, West Africa in December. We believe this will be the first of many trips to Liberia by this age group known at 12Stone as "Water's Edge".

We will be holding an event in the Café Theater at 12Stone Church on Tuesday, November 18th 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Everyone is welcome! This will be a night where the trip goals will be shared, the team and their business mentors introduced (along with some of our Liberia friends), video clips, Liberian food and more.

This event is simply an opportunity to spread awareness about Liberia, and to share our vision, as Water's Edge Ministry, of what God has laid on our hearts to do in pouring ourselves out to help heal the broken and restore the weary in this nation.

Mark the date in your calendar and make sure you invite people to come with you!

Event: Vision Casting/Awareness Event for "Waters Edge" December 2008 Mission Trip to Liberia.

Date: Tuesday November 18th, 2008

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Dress: Very Casual

Location: 12 Stone Church - Cafe Theatre
1322 Buford Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
678.990.8100
www.12Stone.com (see website for directions)

PS- Please feel free to invite family or anyone you believe would like to learn more about Liberia and meet some great young adults!

Thank You!!!!

Liberia Team

Everything

Danielle's New Favorite Worship Song: Hillsong, "With Everything"

In a way this doesn't have much to do with the Liberia Trip, and in another way... its everything.

So, wherever you are, take a minute to watch this youtube video and pray and worship on behalf of Liberia and its precious people. (Or for that matter whatever is on your heart... your family?) I believe that ground in the kingdom of God is taken back when His children focus on him.

I firmly believe that when you focus ALL ATTENTION ALL FOCUS and ALL OF YOUR LIVING BREATHING BODY on the LORD he meets us and he aligns His heart with ours. Let him take your mind. Stop thinking for a second! And let you body, heart, mind and soul worship (thats what it was made to do).

God give us the wound of compassion.

Here is the link, please go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5PVOYjB8U0

The Liberia Volleyball Tournament

The Liberia Volleyball Tournament on August 9th and 10th was a huge success thanks to all the people who came out to support us. We had around 70 people participate in it alltogether, and at least 200 come by at some point between the 2 days. We received a wide range of players, all they way from beginners to proffesional volleyball athletes.

We raised a total of $1000 , and most of all we established relationships with people and got a chance to share about what our purpose will be while there in December. The tournament had great feedback and the majority of participants told us to let them know if we ever were to do something like this again, because it was worth their while!

Overall, a great success!

We are so thankful for the favor of God over us during the whole weekend.

Thank you Jose and Yanni for making this happen!

blog written by mostly Yanni, but Danielle too.

A While Ago

Actually June 22, 2008

Water’s Edge, the college ministry at 12 Stone church is thriving and growing more then ever before. After years of seeking God in our ministry, he has officially expanded our influence to reach through our front doors, through our community, though our State, though our country, and across the Atlantic to land in a place called Liberia in Western Africa.

People of Water’s Edge, prepare yourself. God has something special up his sleeve. God made his glory global a long time ago, and now he’s inviting us to be apart of it.

Waters Edge’s plan for involvement in Liberia is a long term plan, but it starts here. We are a group that mostly looks like on the outside like bunch of college kids, but I’m telling you the truth when I say that we are a group of young men and women who have a fire burning in our bellies for the name of God and his heart for the nations. Maybe the best example of this would be the constant song that’s on repeat inside of team member Stacey Bellflower’s heart.

“Ask and I'll give the nations to you

Oh Lord, thats the cry of my heart

Distant shores and the islands will see your light as it rises on earth.”

– (“You Said”, Shane and Shane)

It speaks for us well. We are thinking that there will be around 15 of us going to Liberia at the very end of December. This will be the first trip of a presumed many. I however, am Danielle (I might as well introduce myself), and I am apart of this family as well. It will be my job throughout this process to update the blog and pray, although I will not be going…this time. So far this has been an incredible learning experience for all of us. Unlike any other trip we’ve prepared for, it has become our own responsibility to form vision and to make it happen including organizing travel arrangements, finances and events. But not to fear! We each have been assigned a mentor, which means that we are not and will not be completely over our heads with unfamiliar responsibilities. Praise God! Especially when the scope, details and capacity of it all (God’s work in Liberia) seems to be growing by the minute.

We had, today (6/22/08) the most lovely chance to meet our mentors and receive a bit of cultural training over a wonderful Liberian lunch at Baimba and Vivian’s House. I know that it was refreshing for the team to once again realize that they are not alone, and these notions that God has for their lives really are coming to existence as we speak. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. It is our prayer that not just our team but that all of Waters Edge would experience God’s heart for others of different nations as God expands our influence there.